GST Returns to be Filed by Different Taxpayers

Ashish M. Shaji

07 Nov, 2020

If you have done GST Registration in India for your business and in case you are not so sure about compliance requirements under the Goods and Service Tax laws then don’t sweat about it. Here, we are going to clarify what GST Returns are to be Filed by Different Taxpayers based on the:

1. Type of Registration, and;
2. Nature of business.

But before that let’s understand the meaning of GST returns.

Meaning of GST Returns

 A return is a document that contains the details regarding income which different taxpayers should file with the administrative authorities. This is used by the tax authorities to calculate tax liability.

GST Returns based on the Type of Registration filed by different taxpayers

Let us first discuss the returns that are required to be filed by different taxpayers based on the type of registration. Returns based on the type of registration are of following types:

• Returns to be filed by a Normal Taxpayer

Any regular taxpayer is required to file two monthly returns and one yearly return in total. These returns along with the due dates by when they are required to be filed are mentioned in the table below:

Note– GSTR-2 and GSTR-3 are suspended from 2017 onwards.

As we can understand from the table any regular taxpayer will be required to file GSTR-1 specifying the information relating to outward supplies made by him. After this form is filed GSTR-2A will be auto-populated, which is to be verified by the recipient. After this, the recipient is required to file GSTR-2 specifying the information relating to inward supply along with any information missed out by the supplier. Once GSTR-2 is filed, GSTR-1B will be auto-populated with the information, which is to be verified by the supplier.

As these two returns are filed, one final monthly return is to be filed in GSTR-3 which will be auto-populated with the information furnished in the first two returns and tax liability will be calculated in it. Along with these monthly returns, one Annual Return is to be submitted in GSTR-9. This form is a consolidation of all the monthly return and is required to be filed by 31^st December of next month.

• Returns to be filed by a Composite Taxpayer

Now we are going to talk about returns to be filed by a composite taxpayer. As we all know a composite taxpayer is one who has opted and registered under the Composition Scheme under GST. Under GST one applies for composition scheme with a view to pay taxes at lower rates and file lesser compliances. Any taxpayer registered under the composition scheme will not be required to file those GSTR-1, GSTR-2 or GSTR-3. Their compliance procedure will be different and less stringent. They will only have to file two types of returns, they are provided in the table made below:

Every taxpayer registered^[1] under Composition Scheme will be required to file one return quarterly in GSTR-4 which will include information on outward and inward supply of that quarter along with the tax liability incurred on such transactions.

Along with it, one annual return is also required to be filed in GSTR-9A.

• Returns based on Nature of business

Along with the returns based on the type of registration, there are few additional returns that are to be filed by a few taxpayers based on the nature of the business. Following are such returns along with their due dates for filing:

GSTR-5, for Non-Resident Taxable Person: Any person who is supplying goods from outside India and does not have a place of business inside India is known as a Non-Resident Taxable Person. Such a person is required to file a tax return in GSTR-5. This return will include the information of inward and outward supply along with the tax liability of the

 Due Date:

Till the 20^th of the following month until their registration is valid.

For a final return, the due date will be either the 20^th of the next month or within 7 days of the expiration of registration whichever is earlier.

GSTR-6, for Input Service Distributor: This return is required to be filed by an Input Service Distributor. In large organizations, it’s natural that in a business there is one head office and several branch offices all over India. They usually do centralized purchasing for better financial control and this situation leads to accumulation of input tax credit and ultimately input tax credit has to be distributed among the branch. This function is performed by Input Service Distributor. GSTR-6 cannot be filed before the 10^th of the month.

 Due Date: it is to be filed by 13^th of the next month.

GSTR-7, for authorities deducting tax at source: Every taxpayer registered under GST who deducts tax at source under section 51, is required to furnish a return in GSTR-7.

Due Date: it is to be filed by 10^th of the next month.

GSTR-8, for E-commerce Operator who collect tax at source. They are required to furnish returns of the supplies effected through them and tax collected by them in GSTR-8.

Due Date: it is to be filed by 10^th of the next month.

Conclusion

It may be noted that failure to file GST Returns within the prescribed time limits will make you liable to pay interest and late fee. Therefore keep note of the due dates and file your returns on time lest you become liable to pay penalty. If you wish to know more regarding GST Returns filed by different taxpayers, then contact Enterslice.

Read our article:Government to Announce Relaxation from GST for Companies under IBC Process